Bankhead House

A 19th Century granite house in the heart of the old village, Bankhead was once owned by the local ironmongers but now provides bright and characterful three bedroom accommodation sleeping 6, with views to the sea and glorious sunsets.

Bankhead House provides accommodation on three floors, with the studio on the ground floor (formally the shop area) and the living spaces on the first and second floors. Recently refurbished, it is simply decorated in whites and greens, taking inspiration from the colours in the local landscape and hung with original artworks by Scottish artists.

There are painted wooden floors scattered with rugs throughout, and the house is fully centrally heated. The living /dining room also has a wood burning stove to warm your toes after walks along the cliffs. As an added attraction, the house includes a complementary art studio for sole use of guests – a great escape for adults or a relaxed messy space for kids to make a masterpiece too. The studio also doubles as storage for golf, cylcing and surf gear. Complementary Therapy treatments also available on site, so come and be pampered!
 

“The house is a gem, comfortable and relaxed in lovely, quirky Gardenstown. We’ve all had a fantastic time, a truly memorable holiday. And the studio – what a treat!” Andrew and Caroline

Coming up the stairs from the front door, you will find the living / dining room, a bright and cosy space with windows on two sides, looking over the rooftops to the sea a short walk away. In here you can spend a leisurely breakfast watching the comings and goings of village life in the lane below, or lounge on the delightful day-bed as the sun dips into the sea at the end of the day. The room also houses a couple of armchairs, dining table and chairs, TV/DVD player and a collection of games and toys. Elsewhere in the house is a collection of books that you are free to read or swap with your own. Free wi-fi is available in the local deli.

Off the living / dining room you’ll find a well equipped galley kitchen with electric oven, fridge freezer, microwave, toaster and plenty of cooking equipment for your stay. We provide complimentary coffee, tea and sugar. Also on the 1st floor you’ll find the double bedroom, another bright room with ample space for luggage and all your essentials.

Upstairs on the 2nd floor there are two twin rooms with combed ceilings and traditional Scottish dormer windows with a lovely bright outlook. All bedding and towels are provided, just ask if you need extra during your stay. Our beds are piled with fluffy pillows, warm duvets and quilted bedcovers, with extra blankets provided for our winter guests. We can also provide a cot, highchair and baby bath. There are retractable stair-gates fitted to enclose the first floor.

Back on the ground floor, the complementary studio space benefits from large screened windows and offers a great private space to make some artwork while on holiday, whether you’re a novice or professional artist. Why not make a family masterpiece as a souvenir of your trip? It’s also a really handy space to store beach finds, wet wellies, golf or cycling equipment. The studio has chairs, tables and basic tools, but if you’re looking for some help or particular equipment let us know and we’ll do our very best to provide what you need. We also run full art holiday weeks if you’re really keen.

The village general store is located less than a minute’s walk from Bankhead’s front door and provides a lovely selection of high quality local produce, fresh coffee, newspapers and free Wi-Fi. Our friendly local pub is also a stones throw away, with a temptingly wide selection of Scottish whisky and home cooked food, and down by the harbour is a small restaurant specialising in superb steaks and fresh fish. As you come into Gardenstown there is a small Spar store for everyday needs and fuel pumps.

The house is just minutes from all the best bits that Gardenstown offers – the delightful village harbour, pebble beach with soaring red sandstone cliffs, friendly local pub and deli/general store, and of course the sea, with its ever-changing moods and colours. Bankhead offers a charming base for walks, exploring and relaxing. A short drive from Gardenstown brings you to whisky, heritage and art trails, golf, horse riding and surfing clubs, and miles and miles of clear fresh Scottish air to recharge your batteries.

Get in touch if you have a large group as we have another self catering property in Gardenstown called Stroma, than can be let alongside this one. Let us help you make your holiday memorable!